Archive

Tag Archives: Lockleaze

More than 200 people sentenced for offences linked to recent disorder

By
September 5, 2024
Uncategorized

Just over a third (37%) of people sentenced so far are under the age of 30.

More than 200 people have now been sentenced for offences in connection with the disorder that broke out in parts of the country following the knife attack at a Southport dance studio on July 29 that left three girls dead.

Here are some of the key statistics:

– How many people have been sentenced?

The PA news agency has compiled details of 202 people who had been sentenced as of September 5.

– What is the age range of the people sentenced?

The oldest person to have been sentenced is William Morgan, 69, of Walton in Merseyside, who was jailed for two years and eight months for violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon – a cosh – during unrest in Liverpool on August 3, in which police were attacked and a library was set on fire.

The youngest is a 13-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, who received a 12-month youth referral order for throwing missiles as part of a mob that besieged a Holiday Inn Express, which was housing more than 200 asylum seekers, in Manvers, South Yorkshire, on August 4.

Some 21 of the 202 people sentenced are under 21, or 10% of the total. This includes two under 18: the 13-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy.

A further 20 (10%) are aged 21 to 24, while 34 (17%) are aged 25 to 29.

This means just over a third (37%) of people sentenced so far are under the age of 30.

Some 62 people sentenced, or just under a third of the total (31%), are aged 30 to 39, while 39 (19%) are aged 40 to 49, 17 (8%) aged 50 to 59 and nine (4%) aged 60 and over.

– How many people have been sent to jail?

A total of 193 of the 202 people received immediate custodial sentences.

Of the nine others, four received suspended jail sentences, two were fined, two received community orders and one received a referral order.

– What is the longest jail sentence so far?

Six years, which was handed to David Wilkinson, 48, of Hull, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder, attempted arson and racially aggravated criminal damage for his role in the disturbances in the city on August 3.

The next longest jail term was given to John Honey, 25, of Hull, who pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary, racially aggravated criminal damage and violent disorder during the August 3 unrest in the city, for which he received a sentence of four years and eight months.

A jail term totalling three years and six months was handed to Thomas Medler, 24, of Lockleaze in Bristol, comprising 34 months for violent disorder plus eight months for breaching a sexual harm prevention order, for his role in an anti-immigration protest that turned violent in the city on August 3.

– What is the shortest jail sentence so far?

Seven weeks, given to Jake Grainger-Quinn, 29, who pleaded guilty to a public order offence in Whitehall in central London on July 31, when he was part of a crowd rushing at and pushing against a police cordon.

– What is the average length of jail sentences?

The average is 24 months.

– What is the most common offence for which people have been sentenced?

Violent disorder. Some 157 of the 202 people sentenced so far had been charged with violent disorder, either by itself or in combination with other charges.

Other charges that have led to jail sentences include assaulting emergency workers, possession of a knife or sharp object in a public place, publishing written material to stir up racial hatred, and causing racially aggravated intentional harassment.

– Which police forces account for the most number of people sentenced?

Five police forces together account for more than half of those sentenced: Merseyside (15% of the total), South Yorkshire (12%), Humberside (10%) Avon & Somerset (8%) and Cleveland (7%).

Evening Standard

‘Dangerous’ man ‘faked self-harm’ to sexually abuse young girls

By
September 3, 2024
Uncategorized

A court heard how his victims often felt like they had no choice but to engage in sexual activity with him

A ‘dangerous’ man pretended to harm himself in order to manipulate and sexually abuse young girls, according to police.

Thomas Junior Medler, now 19, has been locked up after he was convicted of sexual activity with one girl aged under 16 and sexually assaulting another.

He had previously admitted sexual activity with two other girls who were also both aged under 16 at the time.

The exploitation of one of his four victims came after a sustained period of grooming, Avon and Somerset Constabulary said.

Medler was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and issued with a ten year sexual harm prevention order at Bristol Crown Court today (Thursday, April 11).

He will also remain on the sex offender’s register indefinitely.

‘You knew where the line was’

Judge Euan Ambrose said the offences involving at least two of Medler’s victims were “characterised by pressure and manipulation” and despite some of them seemingly being content with the relationships “the laws [he broke] are intended to protect young girls whatever their wishes might be.”

The judge told Medler: “You knew in absolutely no uncertain terms where the line was, so your actions showed a flagrant disregard for the warnings you had been given.”

Medler, from Bristol, was apprehended following an Operation Topaz investigation.

Operation Topaz is a police-led approach to tackling child sexual exploitation which sees agencies share intelligence to investigate reports, catch offenders and support victims.

‘Dangerous individual’

Investigating officer DC Kim O’Donnell said: “While still young himself, Medler is a dangerous individual who seeks to manipulate and control young girls.

“He pretended to harm himself in order that his victims would come to his house – exploiting their belief he cared for them – before sexually abusing them.

“His victims often felt like they had no choice but to engage in sexual activity with him so that he didn’t take his own life.

“Such was the spell he cast over one of his victims that she hid in a bathroom cupboard for three-and-a-half hours while police were at his house just because he told her to.

“Two of his other victims waited more than two years before disclosing what had happened to them to police out of concern for the consequences their actions might have for him.”

Child sex offenders can be of any age

DC O’Donnell added: “This case serves as a stark reminder that child sex offenders can be any age.

“More than half of all suspects investigated by Operation Topaz are aged 24 or younger and people should not assume that people relatively close to each other in age are not able to be exploiting or exploited.

“By working together and sharing information we can help inform, educate and prevent child sexual abuse from happening.

“But we and our partners can only do so much and we still need the public’s help.

“If you suspect a child or young person may be at risk, or have any information relating to CSE, please contact us.”

Officers would prefer to speak to people with information on the phone, by calling 101, or in person.

If you don’t want to speak to the police, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously.

If you know or suspect a child or young person is in immediate danger, you should dial 999 straight away.

Somerset Live

Was found guilty of Violent Disorder in Sept 2004

https://far-rightcriminals.com/2024/09/03/business-owner-jailed-for-far-right-violence-in-bristol/

Business owner jailed for far-right violence in Bristol

By
September 3, 2024
Uncategorized

Marc Donavon, 40, of Wells in Somerset, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday.

A man with his own removal business has been jailed for two years for his role in a far-right protest that turned violent in Bristol.

Marc Donavon, 40, of Wells in Somerset, joined an anti-immigration march on August 3, which saw beer kegs thrown at police vehicles and clashes in Castle Park in the city.

Appearing before Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday, Judge Michael Cullum said there were “clear images” of Donavon taking part in the protest.

While he described Donavon’s involvement in the events as “relatively slight” he said he had surrounded himself with people throwing beer kegs at police vehicles, which he had given “encouragement by filming”.

Donavon had also “kicked out” at people, thrown objects at police officers and poured liquid over a passing cyclist.

Alec Small, defending, said the defendant had handed himself in to the police and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

Passing his sentence, the judge said: “You’ve been out of trouble for about a decade, your more serious convictions approaching 15 years (old).

“You have worked hard, and I accept you have rehabilitated yourself. You are a hardworking man with a removals business, and you have a family.

“You are before the court for one offence, which is out of character to what has happened for the last decade or more.”

The judge said Donavon’s actions must be taken in the context of those he was with, which would have led people to fear for their personal safety.

“It may not have been your intention initially to attend but you chose to attend,” he said.

Daniel Lock was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court (Avon and Somerset Police)

“The febrile atmosphere must have made it clear right from the word go that this was going to be, and was, teetering on the point of disorder.

“You could have gone home and been the responsible family man that you had otherwise previously been.

“This was a deliberately violent protest, and you aligned yourself to it.”

Donavon did not take part in the violent protest at the Mercure Hotel, which houses asylum seekers.

Judge Cullum handed him a two-year prison sentence, reduced from three years due to his early guilty plea.

Daniel Lock, 31, from Kingswood, a self-employed electrician, was also sentenced to two years in prison.

The court heard that Lock had “got into a fight” outside the Mercure Hotel after someone spat at him.

Tabitha Macfarlane, defending, said Lock had been of previously good character and had never been inside a police station before.

Thomas Medler, 24, of Lockleaze, was given a 34-month sentence for violent disorder

She read out a statement submitted on behalf of Lock’s football manager who described him as “one of the most kind-hearted and reliable people that I know”, who regularly “goes out of his way to help others”.

Ms Macfarlane said it was in his words “completely stupid behaviour” and he accepted his part in the events.

Judge Cullum said: “You assisted and led in what became a violent situation, quite clearly you were intent in leading from the front row.

“That was entirely out of character, I don’t know what it was about that situation that led you to behave to those people in a way that’s very different to how you have previously acted to other people.”

A third defendant, Thomas Medler, 24, of Lockleaze, was handed a 34-month prison sentence for violent disorder and a further eight for breaching a sexual harm prevention order, giving him a 42-month sentence in total.
Evening Standard

Teen jailed for throwing missiles at police

By
August 22, 2024
Uncategorized

A masked teenager who threw bricks, bottles and a beer barrel at police during Bristol’s unrest has been jailed for two years.

Cassius Adamson, 19, of Lockleaze, joined a far-right protest high on drugs on 3 August. He was front of a group which gathered outside a hotel housing asylum seekers.

The labourer pleaded guilty to violent disorder when he appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday.

Judge James Patrick, who described Adamson’s behaviour as “disgusting”, added: “This offending had a significant community impact and brought shame on this city.”

Hundreds of far-right protesters and a counter-protest group gathered for two demonstrations near Castle Park on 3 August.

The unrest caused families, particularly those with an ethnic background, to become fearful, stockpile food and board up their businesses, Judge Patrick added.

Adamson is the ninth person to be jailed for violent disorder after the unrest. Thirty-three people have been arrested and 18 charged.

The court heard, Adamson joined the demonstration after drinking two litres of spirits and taking MDMA, ketamine and cocaine earlier that day.

Giles Nelson, defending, said the teenager was “deeply remorseful” and had been “swept along” in the violence having had a difficult childhood with learning difficulties.

“With the fact he is such a loner, has attachment disorder and ADHD, when he was in that corridor of violence, he became a sheep and a follower.”

Mr Nelson added: “He does not have any idealistic attitudes or any racist attitudes. He is easily influenced and easily used. There is no excuse for his behaviour.”

Judge Patrick told Adamson: “I have to deal with you for persistent lawlessness in the name of patriotism.

“You were involved in throwing missiles, cans and bottles, towards the police. You were gesturing, shouting and you were filming.

“You were aggressively trying to get to the hotel. The group, including you, threw missiles at the police, including a traffic cone, and also at others.”

He explained four empty beer barrels were thrown at a police van, one of which was thrown by Adamson. He then also also used a brick and a glass bottle as a missile.

The judge said the “persistence” and “violence” of Adamson’s behaviour” for nearly an hour towards public servants and “also while masked” was too serious to suspend the sentence.

He added: “The police incurred hundreds of thousands of pounds of costs.”

BBC News